Category: District News

Harry Hoag Elementary School is providing resources to help children understand the changes that are expected at school for health and safety reasons.

• Going back to school

Families are encouraged to read these age-appropriate stories together as parents help their children prepare for school in September.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or Principal Lauren Crisman.

To our Families of Fort Plain Junior-Senior High School:

First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and its unexpected challenges in March. I am very proud of the way our Fort Plain students, parents, employees, and community handled the demands we were faced with to protect everyone as we continued to educate and feed our students during the most unusual of circumstances.

Now we are looking forward to reopening our schools, but I am sure you have concerns and questions about our September plans. While we are in the business of educating, our first priority is the safety of our students and our employees. Be assured, we have been working diligently over the last months, studying the guidance from national, state, and local officials, as well as seeking input from parents and stakeholders to develop our reopening plan.

This guide highlights some important aspects of our reopening. With this in mind, we know, this plan may change. This is a complicated issue, but we have done our best to use a common sense approach to the development of our plan. Keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is our top priority.

The first day of in-person learning for 7th, 8th and 9th grade will be Monday, Sept. 14. The first day of in-person learning for 10th, 11th and 12th grade will be Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Related: Jr./Sr. High School Supply Lists | Video of Aug. 18 parent forum |  Google Slides presentation for Aug. 18 parent forum

Blended Model

The Junior Senior High School has developed a Blended Learning Model in which, on defined days, some students learn remotely and others learn at school. In-person instruction will be at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School. On days students are not in school they will remain home for remote instruction. Students will rotate on a four-day schedule:

Grades 7-8-9

• Day 1 – In-person instruction (A Day Classes)
• Day 2 – At-home virtual instruction (A Day Classes)
• Day 3 – In-person instruction (B Day Classes)
• Day 4 – At-home virtual instruction (B Day Classes)
• Day 5 – Repeat Cycle

Grades 10-11-12

• Day 1 – At-home virtual instruction (A Day Classes)
• Day 2 – In-person instruction (A Day Classes)
• Day 3 – At-home virtual instruction (B Day Classes)
• Day 4 – In-person instruction (B Day Classes)
• Day 5 – Repeat Cycle

For consistency, students will follow the same schedule during the same times whether instruction is in person or remote. The average class size for in-person instruction is 15 students. All classrooms are physically set up to promote social distancing. Desks will be facing forward and six feet apart, thus eliminating the need to always wear face coverings.

Remote Instruction & Technology

We will use Google Classroom as our online learning platform. When at home, students may engage in a variety of learning including: live virtual instruction, pre-recorded instruction, home assignments, independent work, activities, and assessments. Some work may take the whole period, while others may be a shorter task. Regardless of the type of instruction, students will have mandatory live check-ins for attendance and must log into their Google classrooms to complete whatever tasks are assigned. During remote instruction days, your child’s teacher will be available during that period to assist their students.

Chromebook distribution

Each student will receive a student email account and will be issued a Chromebook. If connectivity is a problem, please reach out to us so we can help problem solve. Chromebooks will be distributed on Thursday, Sept. 10. One parent must accompany their child when picking up devices. Social distancing and mask protocols will be in effect. Families with students in multiple grades can choose one time to pick up all items.

• 7th Grade: will receive Chromebooks at 7th grade orientation
• 8th Grade: 9-10 a.m.
• 9th Grade: 10-11 a.m.
• 10th Grade: 11 a.m.-noon
• 11th Grade: Noon-1 p.m.
• 12th Grade: 1-2 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon will be the alternate pick up date.

Attendance

Our attendance policy will be in effect during the 2020-21 school year. Students are expected to attend school daily, whether in-person or remote, and teachers will take attendance. Mrs. Hecht will contact you when your child is absent from class. We know the value of good attendance, but understand during this time attendance may be compromised. Please reach out to Mrs. Hecht or your child’s counselor for attendance issues. Excessive absences will affect learning and grades.

Face Masks and Social Distancing

Masks will be required when social distancing is not possible. Masks will be required on school buses, in hallways and public spaces and in classrooms when social distancing is not possible. Teachers will guide students as to the practice in each class. If students do not have a mask, the school will provide one.

To help with social distancing, and transitions between classes, we have changed walk patterns throughout the buildings, marking stairwells and hallways as one way. Signage will assist students as they become familiar with the new walkways. To further limit hallway congestion, we have staggered dismissal times between classes.

Student Arrival and Exit

Arrival

Arrival times have been staggered to ensure social distancing. Students will not be allowed in the building until 7:40, which is the time the first bus is scheduled to arrive. Bus students will enter the building using the entrance by the gym.

For student drop-off the Main Street entrance will be used. Traffic will be marked as one-way during drop-off and pick-up times. Parents can begin to drop off students at 7:45. Non-bus students will enter using the front door.

Health screenings will be conducted each morning before coming to school for all members of the school community. Students riding the bus will be screened prior to boarding. All other students will be screened upon entry to the building. Anyone with a temperature of 100.00 or more will not be allowed to attend.

Upon arrival to school, students will report to their first period classrooms. They grab breakfast in the cafeteria to take with them. Face coverings may be removed once a person arrives in his/her classroom.

Exit

Dismissal will be staggered, with bus students being dismissed first at 2:38. An announcement will release all other students. Once the busses have cleared student pick-up may begin at approximately 2:45. Remote day meals will be provided at the end of the day. Bagged breakfast and lunches will be available for students to “grab and go” before exiting the building.

There will not be a late bus at this time. Students are expected to exit the building to allow for our custodial staff to do a deep end of the day cleaning.

School Activities

Extracurricular activities have been canceled for the start of the school year. This includes field trips and assemblies. We will explore bringing back activities that can be conducted remotely, or in a safe environment. I know our student athletes are anxious to begin their sport seasons, but we must following state protocols regarding athletics.

This letter highlights our reopening plan. I encourage you to frequently visit the school’s webpage and follow our social media for up-to-date and accurate information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (518) 993-4000 ext. 2124 or email at deborah.larrabee@fortplain.org.

Thank you for your continued support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for ALL of our students and employees during these challenging times.

Best,

Deborah Larrabee, Ed.D.
Principal

Note, this survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.

Fort Plain Central School District is exploring the opportunity to provide parents a choice for remote only learning. We are conducting a survey to determine interest and viability based on community feedback. Please list your child(ren)’s name(s) and grade level(s) if you are interested in a remote only learning option.

Please know that if the district offers a remote only learning option, families will need to commit to “opting in” for the first semester (September through Jan. 25).

Please complete the survey no later than 8 a.m. on Aug. 26.

The Board of Education at its Aug. 19 meeting adopted a revised 2020-21 school year calendar. The calendar outlines the rotating schedule between in-person and remote learning. Students will attend school one day in person, then remain home for remote instruction on the next day. This alternating pattern will continue so that students rotate between in-person and remote learning every other day.

Under the revised school calendar, the first day of the school year will be Sept. 14. This change will allow the district to hold additional Superintendent’s Conference Days to give our staff more time to prepare for the reopening of our schools. 

Monday, Sept. 14 will be an in-person “A” day for Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 7-9 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School. Tuesday, Sept. 15 will be an in-person “B”day for Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 10-12 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School.

Please note this is a change from a previous announcement for Harry Hoag Elementary School, as it swaps the “A/B” schedule originally detailed in letters mailed home.

On days when students are not scheduled to attend school in-person, they should participate in remote learning at home.

Families should follow the rotating schedule listed on the calendar. The in-person schedule for the first two weeks of school is listed below. These schedules will also be detailed on the calendar of the district’s homepage so families can easily check who is expected to report for in-person learning on any given day. The schedule is also available on our print-friendly one-sheet calendar adopted by the Board of Education.

Sept. 14-18

Monday, Sept. 14

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12

Tuesday, Sept. 15

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9

Wednesday, Sept. 16

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12

Thursday, Sept. 17

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9

Friday, Sept. 18

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12

Sept. 21-25

Monday, Sept. 21

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9

Tuesday, Sept. 22

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12

Wednesday, Sept. 23

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9
  

Thursday, Sept. 24

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / In-Person Gr. 7, 8, 9
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / Remote Gr. 10, 11, 12

Friday, Sept. 25

• In-Person: Harry Hoag Elementary School B day / In-Person Gr. 10, 11, 12
• Remote: Harry Hoag Elementary School A day / Remote Gr. 7, 8, 9

Emergency days

If an emergency day is taken, the calendar will remain the same and the rotation will not be changed.

The Fort Plain Central School District hosted a series of virtual community forums about school reopening. We also gathered input and answered questions from families. 

• Watch the Aug. 13 parent forum about the districtwide plan.
• Watch the Aug. 17 parent forum for Harry Hoag Elementary School. View more information in the Back-to-School Parent Guide for Harry Hoag Elementary School.
• Watch the Aug. 18 forum for the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School.
• Watch the Aug. 20 districtwide virtual forum as it relates to the special education program and remote-only learning options.

Please note, this page was updated Aug. 24 to reflect changes to the school calendar. The first day of school on Sept. 14 is an “A” day; the second day of school on Sept. 15 is a “B” day.

Greetings Families of Harry Hoag Elementary School,

I hope that everyone found time to enjoy the beautiful summer months! We have been busy planning for the much anticipated return of our students this fall. At the heart of our planning, was that idea that school should be a safe and welcoming environment that is tailored to support learners of all ages and all abilities. We have kept those core beliefs in mind as we developed our pandemic school experience. We believe that we can adjust our professional practices this year and keep student learning and personal growth for all as the central objectives of our work.  

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be several changes to our school routines. These changes were developed to promote ongoing health and safety for all of our school community members. Please read this information carefully. 

To ensure the effectiveness of our new procedures, per the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the structure of our school day will be different.

Start to the Year

In an effort to transition students back to school successfully and comfortably,  Harry Hoag will begin the year with individual meetings for all learners. Teachers will reach out to schedule a visitation for each child.  We ask that a caregiver plan to attend the meetings as well. Special accommodations for working parents can be made as needed.  

The first day of in person learning for Day A will be Monday, Sept. 14 and for Day B will be Tuesday, Sept. 15. A calendar of the A/B cycle will be posted on our website.

Parents should watch the mail this week for a letter with individual details about A/ B day assignments. 

Related: Harry Hoag Elementary School Supply Lists | Video of Aug. 17 parent forum | Google Slides presentation for Aug. 17 parent forum | Elementary resources to help explain changes at school to children

Blended Model

The school year will be run on a Day A and Day B rotation. Students will attend school one day in person, then remain home for remote instruction on the next day. This A/B pattern will repeat for the foreseeable future.  Students will have assignments to complete on the home/remote day. By splitting the class sections into two, we will be able to decrease the number of students in a classroom each day.  This will allow for social distancing to occur so that students do not have to wear a face covering all day. Maximum in person class sizes would be near 10 students.

Harry Hoag Elementary School Day

7:50-8:05 Bus Drop only

8:05-8:30 Parent Drop off and Walkers are welcome

8:30-2:20 Instructional Day  

At 8:30 am and at 2:15 pm, a Google Meet will be held with all students in each homeroom.  Both in person and remote learners are expected to attend the meets daily.  If there is a conflict, caregivers should notify their child’s teacher.  These meets will set the goals for the day for all learners and provide a check in opportunity to close out the day. 

2:25 Bus Dismissal only

2:35 Parent Pick Up and Walker Dismissal 

If you choose to self transport, please note that parent drop off and walkers will be welcome at 8:05 am. 

Technology

Students in Prekindergarten – First Grade will be offered an iPad to use for the school year. Students in Grades 2-6 will be offered a Chromebook to use for the school year. Students will be expected to charge their device each night. Devices are expected to be brought to school for in person learning and then may travel home for use on the remote day. Caregivers and students (Gr 2 and above) will be asked to sign a Technology User Agreement. 

Mandatory Use of Protective Personal Equipment

All faculty, staff and students who transition throughout the building in common spaces such as the hallways or bathrooms are expected to wear a face covering at all times. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one.  Face coverings will be provided to students, if needed.  

Designated Personal Workspace

In classrooms, desks/ tables  will be arranged to comply with social distancing guidelines thus eliminating the need for students to wear a face coverings during instruction. Each student will be provided a desk or table assignment to serve as their designated personal workspace for the entire day.  

Enhanced cleaning routines have been developed to accommodate for eating in the classrooms and to allow for the regular disinfection of high touch surfaces such as desks, chairs and door knobs.

Arrival Procedure

Health Screenings will be conducted each morning before coming to school for all members of the school community. Faculty, staff and students will attest to their wellness using the District provided protocol. Students riding school transportation will be screened prior to boarding the bus. Students arriving via personal transportation will be screened upon entry to the building. Face coverings may be removed once a person arrives at their designated personal workspace. 

Dismissal Procedure

All school community members are required wear a face covering during dismissal. Teachers will escort Parent Pick Up students to the gym. All others will be escorted to the buses. Parent Pick Up students will sit on designated spots (6 feet apart) until a staff member escorts them to their parent/caregiver for dismissal. 

 Once the buses have cleared, Parent Pick Up will begin.  

New this year, parents will be asked to stay in their vehicles. A traffic enforcer will manage traffic flow through the bus loop to the main entry. If you arrive at Parent Pick Up before bus dismissal is over, please park in Wiles Park. Please remain in your car. Once your vehicle reaches the main entry, a staff member will confirm your pick up list; then retrieve and deliver your children to the vehicle. If you pick up your child on foot, please also report to the main entry. There will be markings to indicate where to wait while a staff member assists you.

As you prepare for your child’s return to school this fall, please practice wearing a face covering for several minutes to simulate the experience of walking in our school hallways or having to be in large group settings for a few minutes such as at Parent Pick Up.  

More information regarding the reopening of Harry Hoag Elementary School will be shared during the virtual parent forum on Monday, Aug. 17. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. You can access the forums by going to the district’s YouTube channel.

We kindly request that you update any forms related to your child’s residency and/or health needs. Copies of The Ride with Pride Bus Behavior Contract and our Code of Conduct will be mailed. It is important to review these documents with your child prior to the start of school.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to reach me in the Main Office at (518) 993-4000 ext. 3059 or via email at lauren.crisman@fortplain.org. I look forward to welcoming each child back to Harry Hoag soon! Be well!

Proud to be your Principal,

Lauren Crisman

The Fort Plain Central School District will hold its monthly board meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the Harry Hoag Elementary School. The meeting will be held in-person and is open to the public. Social distancing guidelines and safety precautions will be adhered to, including the wearing of masks. Meeting materials are available on BoardDocs.